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Wednesday 25 Aug 2004

THE REBUILDING OF THE RAILWAY CONTINUES WITH A PROGRAMME OF ENGINEERING WORK ON THE WEST COAST MAIN LINE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A substantial and vital programme of engineering work will take place this coming weekend on the West Coast Main Line, to continue the task of rebuilding a better performing, more efficient railway.              An army of engineers will be working flat out between Hemel Hempstead and Lichfield and also between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport from this coming Saturday (28 August), through to Sunday 5 September.           Iain Coucher, Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Network Rail is continuing its task of rebuilding the railway.  This programme of work will bring real and tangible improvements to passengers.” The work has been planned months in advance to ensure alternative travel arrangements could be put in place to minimise inconvenience for rail users. Details of the engineering work are outlined below. Full alternative travel arrangements can be obtained by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50) or logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk: - more - August – 2 West Coast Main Line  West Coast Main Line closed (Hemel to Litchfield & Manchester to Stockport), Saturday 28th August - Sunday  5th September (inc):

• From 28 August to 5 September, work between Hemel Hempstead and Lichfield and Manchester Piccadilly to Stockport, will include:
  • The commissioning of a new signalling system between Rugby and Milton Keynes        
  • Works to bridges at Bourne End, Berkhamsted, Cheddington, Castlethorpe and Hanslope
  • Improvement works at Northchurch (nr Hemel Hempstead) and Kilsby (nr Rugby) tunnels
  • Level crossing removal on the line between Birmingham International and Coventry at Berkswell, Tile Hill and Canley
  • The remodelling of Nuneaton north end junction

o        The renewal of switches and crossings at Stechford near Birmingham International

• No direct Virgin Trains from Scotland will be able to serve London Euston from Saturday 28 August to Sunday 5 September inclusive. Passengers between Glasgow Central, Motherwell and London should use GNER trains to and from London Kings Cross during this period, or travel by ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper which will run to and from London Euston by an alternative route. Passengers from Carlisle can travel by Arriva Trains Northern to Newcastle or Leeds to join GNER trains.

  During all of the above West Coast work passengers are strongly advised to check their journey details before travelling as service patterns and line closures do vary over this period.